boulevard

boulevard, wide urban avenue

noun bool-VAR Rare

Origin: Dutch bolwerk (bulwark), via German

Usage Note

Boulevard entered French from Dutch military terminology, as wide avenues were often built on former city ramparts. In Paris, the grands boulevards are iconic 19th-century thoroughfares. The word is also used colloquially in théâtre de boulevard, a genre of light comedic theatre popular in France.

Examples

"Nous nous promenons sur le boulevard."

Natural Translation

We are walking along the boulevard.

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